Climate Change

These were remarks made by NCD Governor Powes Parkop at the 2^nd Climate Change Summit, which concluded in Port Moresby today.

Governor Parkop said the summit brought out the importance of the commitment that was made by the government to protect the natural environment.

“I want to remind all of us again about our commitment towards addressing climate change one of which is the Paris Agreement; what we Papua New Guineans have (committed) to the Paris Agreement.

The province is currently facing threats of a drought, which could have severe consequences for both the environment and the local communities.

In the case of Madang, the potential drought threat could impact agriculture, fisheries, and hydropower generation. Already there has been continuous power outages resulting in water cuts, because water supply pumps need power supply to generate water in town.

The launching on Thursday 3^rd of August was officiated by members of Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), the Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change Simon Kilepa and key partners. 

Papua New Guinea has taken a global lead in seeking to combat climate change since 2005 at COP11 in Montreal, Canada when PNG and Costa Rica introduced the concept of REDD+ to the United Nationals Framework Conservation on Climate Change. 

Taking center stage is the nearing completion of the Kimbe Market redevelopment project in West New Britain, which places great emphasis on environmental sustainability throughout its design. Here are the notable features incorporated into the market:

The market buildings will be equipped with an impressive array of 100 solar panels, harnessing the power of the sun to supply electricity and lighting, reducing the reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

This plan marks a key milestone in the partnership between the two nations and outlines various areas of collaboration aimed at supporting PNG's involvement in international carbon markets.

Under the Joint Action Plan, PNG will receive support from IPCOS, which has committed AUD104 million over a span of ten years.

“We are committed to helping Pacific Islands manage both sudden-onset impacts of climate change, such as major storms, and slow-onset impacts such as sea-level rise,” states the Office of the Spokesperson, U.S. Department of State. “To date, USAID has helped Pacific Islands countries unlock more than $500 million from international organizations such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and the Global Environment Facility.”

They re-committed to immediately curb greenhouse gas emissions – of which the region accounts for over half of the global emissions.

“The global climate fight will be won or lost in this crucial decade; in this context, the resolution demonstrates the commitment by countries in the region to take faster and bolder climate action to ensure that their climate goals are met,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP at the closing.

Climate reporting is an important tool for promoting transparency, accountability and for informed climate actions.

Led by Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) with technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the workshop was a key step under phase two of PNG’s Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project.

The project, called Mangoro Market Meri, is focused on restoring local mangrove habitats, empowering women in the community, and driving outcomes on climate change.

Papua New Guinea is home to 33 out of the 80 species of mangroves globally, making it the country with the highest mangrove diversity in the world.

The project is being carried out in Bootless Bay in Port Moresby and has received support from The Nature Conservancy Australia, World Wildlife Fund, and Save the Children Australia.

Jacob Ekinye said going forward they will need to integrate mainstream Climate Change issues into the sectoral development plans, with the help of all stakeholders including development partners.

Ekinye announced during a press conference that they be roll out the NAP to the national and subnational levels in two phases.